It would seem that Benefit Week (as we’ve taken to calling it around here) is finally at an end. The rough review of the last four days…

THURS/FRI

The Alliance of Neighbors of Monmouth County Benefit at the Count Basie Theater was heartwarming, a lot of fun, and filled with a nice dose of local pride. Great peformances all around.

I must confess, however, that the highlight was Bruce Springsteen telling me that he dug all the flicks, with “Amy” being his favorite. I mean, he’s the Boss, for Christ’s sake.

The Star Ledger ran a nice story about the event that you can read at…
http://www.nj.com/music/ledger/index.ssf?/music/ledger/14c51ee.html

SATURDAY

Had great seats for the show. Harvey sat us in his section, which was stage right, three rows up (I could’ve hit Melissa Etheridge with a rolled-up tissue; by the by, how great was her cover of “Born to Run”? She can play a fucking guitar, can’t she?). The price on the tickets was ten grand apiece.

I know – I was shocked too. I can’t imagine paying ten grand to see anybody in concert (except maybe Jesus or Kinison).

But that being said, I dug the show. Thought The Who played a fantastic set especially. Wasn’t sure about the spartan Bowie cover of “America”, but it’s grown on me in the two days since the concert – so much so that I hope they put out a CD of the event. Loved seeing Billy Joel ’cause I’m a big Billy Joel fag (shit – better get out my check-book), and have even more respect for the Goo-Goo Dolls after their tremendous rendition of “American Girl.”

The highlight, of course, was listening to that many people (twenty thousand or more? How many people does the Garden sit?) laughing at the short. It had to be the largest single audience I’ve ever sat with while watching something I’ve made. Incredibly gratifying, that.

But beyond the selfish aspect, what I dug about the show most was how sincere the whole affair was. Folks were genuinely appreciative to the NY PD/FD/EMS workers in attendance, and there wasn’t a phoney note in the night. The age of cynicism may, indeed, be over.

SUNDAY

Jen and I took Harley to a Benefit Brunch/Show at Carnegie Hall – “A Perfectly Ridiculous Concert” with John Lithgow singing children’s songs. The event was benefiting the Carnegie Hall Kids’ Concerts series – a program that helps keep ticket prices to Carnegie programs for City kids down to five bucks a head. A shout-out to Miramax’s Meryl Poster who invited us to the shindig, which represented our collective first visits to Carnegie Hall.

MONDAY

No Benefit anything scheduled for today. Nothing but quality time with a Green Arrow script and “Jersey Girl.”

I’ll check back later.